JumpStart Games
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Educational entertainment video games |
| Predecessor | Knowledge Adventure, Inc. |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Torrance, California , United States |
| Parent | NetDragon Websoft (since 2017) |
JumpStart Games, Inc., originally known as Knowledge Adventure, Inc., was a United States-based company specializing in educational entertainment video games, with its main office located in Torrance, California. Established in 1991, the company became part of the Chinese conglomerate NetDragon Websoft in 2017.
History
Between 1991 and 1994, Knowledge Adventure focused on creating games for the DOS platform.
Acquisition by CUC International
On November 5, 1996, CUC International revealed intentions to purchase Knowledge Adventure, finalizing the deal on February 3, 1997. Prior to this, in February 1996, CUC had acquired Davidson & Associates, which was later merged with Knowledge Adventure in October 1998.
In May 1997, CUC International declared a merger with Hospitality Franchise Systems, completed in December of the same year, resulting in the formation of Cendant. Following this, CUC Software was rebranded as Cendant Software. On November 20, 1998, the French media corporation Havas (which subsequently became part of Vivendi) purchased Cendant Software for $800 million in cash plus an additional performance-based payment of up to $200 million. The division was subsequently renamed Havas Interactive.
During this era, Knowledge Adventure broadened its range of educational titles with licensed games such as JumpStart, Dr. Brain, Fisher-Price, Barbie, Blaster, Teletubbies, Jurassic Park III, and American Idol. In 2000, the company introduced JumpStart Baby, aimed at early childhood learning.
Separation from Vivendi
In October 2004, Vivendi divested Knowledge Adventure to a group of investors focused on hands-on management and development of new educational software. The firm continued producing titles under the JumpStart and Math Blaster brands.
Knowledge Adventure underwent a rebranding to become JumpStart Games in October 2012.
On March 17, 2014, JumpStart Games expanded its portfolio by acquiring Neopets from Viacom.
Later, on July 7, 2017, Chinese online gaming publisher NetDragon Websoft completed the acquisition of JumpStart Games.
Digital re-releases of legacy titles
Beginning November 25, 2014, five classic Knowledge Adventure games were reissued digitally without DRM as exclusive offerings on ZOOM-Platform.com through collaboration with the Jordan Freeman Group. These titles included 3D Body Adventure, 3D Dinosaur Adventure, the original Dinosaur Adventure, Space Adventure, and Undersea Adventure.
Due to high consumer interest, Bug Adventure was also digitally re-released on March 6, 2015 via the same partnership.
Company closure and transition of Neopets
On June 13, 2023, JumpStart Games declared it would discontinue all operations and terminate support for all games except for Neopets by June 30, 2023. The company officially ceased operations on July 1, 2023; its servers and website were shut down without an official explanation.
Management of Neopets briefly transferred to Fluffy Dog Studios (previously JumpStart Vancouver) before being spun off as an independent entity named World of Neopia, Inc. through a management buyout.